Suspected Navy Yard shooter was defense contractor

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense officials say the suspected Washington Navy Yard gunman was currently working as a defense department contractor, but it's not clear if he was assigned at the military base in southeast D.C.

Defense officials say Aaron Alexis, 34, of Texas, was working as an information technology contractor, but it was not known which company employed him. As a contractor, he could have had a badge that might have gained him access to the base. Alexis was a former Navy reservist, serving from 2007 to early 2011.

The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University also says he was an online student pursuing a bachelor's degree in aeronautics. He started classes in July 2012.

Thirteen people were killed during the shooting rampage at Building 197. More than a dozen others were wounded.